In sports, serious injuries are far from random; in handball, it’s common for players to suffer them multiple times. Norwegian legend Nora Merk underwent surgery ten times yet always made a comeback, while many Montenegrin handball athletes have faced their own harrowing struggles.

Take Andrijana Popović, for instance, who needed extensive recovery time after undergoing surgeries on both shoulders, effectively stepping away from handball for years. During the World Championships in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, she had to fill the formidable role of Đurđina Jauković in defense. The young athlete from Nikšić passed the test, with her five-year-old compatriot cheering her and the rest of the “lionesses” to a 7th place finish in the world.

In October, Jauković tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee for the second time in two years. After a little over two months of rehabilitation, her sole aim is to be fit for the Olympic Games in Paris. She’s confident that her teammates will support her aspirations at the qualifying tournament in Ulm this April.

– So far, everything is progressing as expected. Just like after my first surgery, I’m working with physiotherapist Mitra Vujović in Podgorica, and I’m immensely grateful for her help. I can’t say it’s easier this time than after the first procedure; knowing what to expect can make it tough, especially after struggling for three years. However, the recovery is going well, my knee has responded positively to increased activity, and I’m pleased to be more independent now. The worst is behind me; now comes the rewarding part of recovery – shares the 26-year-old powerhouse from Trebjes.

She underwent her first surgery in Denmark with Ufe Jorgensen but has opted for a new surgeon this time around.

– I had my surgery performed by Dr. Saša Janković in Zagreb, recommended by several Croatian handball and soccer players, including our own Stefan Čavor, who had a similar procedure. Everything went exceptionally well, and I believe I made the right choice.

Considering that recovery from this type of injury can take eight to nine months or longer, questions loom over whether the player, affectionately known as Roki by her teammates, will be ready for a possible participation in the City of Light.

– Just a few days ago, my best friend—who doesn’t follow sports beyond me—jokingly asked, like a journalist, if we could expect to see me in Paris. We laughed; I told her it was a question I’d never gotten from an actual journalist. Naturally, I have my own ambitions and goals, and I hope to compete, but I can’t promise I’ll be 100 percent ready. It’s unwise to say that, as I still have six months of hard work ahead. I hope everything goes as planned, but the knee is delicate; one misstep could delay my recovery by a few weeks.

She confesses that coping with her injury was more mentally challenging than physically painful, especially with the Olympics at stake.

– Paris was immediately on my mind. However, I understood that I couldn’t change my situation, so I committed to recovering as quickly as possible, just as I did after my last surgery. By the end of this journey, we will see if I have enough time to make my return. What’s certain is that I will be ready for the next season and the Champions League.

The 2024/2025 season will mark her return to Buducnost Bemax after spending four years in Brest.

– I’m excited to come back after four years. When I left in 2020, my goal was to play as many games as I could. I gave so much of myself; balancing that Wednesday-Saturday game schedule was exhausting. There were times we packed up and didn’t come home for two weeks. Everything weighed on me; I practically had no summer breaks for three years, constantly in handball or recuperating. Now, I’m going back home, playing one game a week, and being with my club. Working with Bojana Popović will also be invaluable to me; she’s an exceptional coach, and I believe I can learn a lot from her. I enjoy self-improvement, something I struggled to find time for in Brest.

Last summer, Đina received an offer from Buducnost that wanted to buy out the last year of her contract, but she chose to remain in France. Now, she’ll don the blue and white jersey again.

– I’m returning to a club with a familiar system where everyone, unfortunately, understands how to handle players coming back from injuries. It was tough after my first injury; in such times, you want the support of trusted friends and family, but now things feel different.

Recently, Popović extended her contract for three years, stating her objective is to win the Champions League. The return of the prominent player from Nikšić signals significant ambitions.

– I see that the entire club is committed to restoring Buducnost to its rightful place. I share those ambitions, but I understand the challenges ahead; the team needs to be completed first. I’m also coming back from a severe injury. While I know that things will unfold as they should, patience is crucial; I can’t expect to shine right at the start of the season. What matters is our desire, evident both in the national team’s efforts and our resulting successes – concluded Jauković.

Reflecting on the World Cup

Twice in a row, Đurđina Jauković missed the World Championships due to knee injuries. Nevertheless, she didn’t want the championship in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to pass without her presence, joining her teammates in Gothenburg and witnessing the intense battles in Herning.

– Honestly, I still get chills thinking about the championship. I had tremendous belief in the girls; I admit my ambition might have been excessive, but I was confident we could achieve a remarkable outcome. They exceeded my expectations in many ways, especially as a cohesive unit.

Ultimately, they secured 7th place and had grievances about referee injustices during the quarter-finals against Denmark.

– I know many of their players personally, and before the match, they were laughing and chatting, thinking they would easily win. After the game, they were embarrassed, realizing they had just made it to the semi-finals. I’m proud of how the girls played in that match and throughout the tournament. Their journey wasn’t easy, as there’s always pressure—especially for a youthful team like ours. I sensed the energy and group dynamic, which sets a solid example; that drive must be maintained without energy or determination falling below that standard. I’m also proud of how we performed after being relegated from Denmark. We tend to hesitate when not in contention for medals, yet we seriously approached our matches against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

For Gina’s Olympic dreams to stay “alive,” the “lionesses” need to finish in one of the top two spots in the qualifying tournament against Paraguay, Germany, and Slovenia from June 11 to 14.

– This will undoubtedly be challenging, but I trust we will qualify for the Olympic Games. My primary wish is for everyone to remain healthy—that’s paramount. This group may be more manageable than previous ones that qualified for the OI, and I’m confident that with energy and attitude like we demonstrated at the World Cup, we won’t face obstacles in qualifying. I hope the final game against the Slovenes won’t matter, allowing both teams to secure their spots. In terms of character and self-confidence, we are the strongest national team globally, and that’s crucial in such matches. The German team lacks the same level of experience we have.

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